Course Description: Pope Francis has called for the development of a deeper theology of women in order to discern how women’s gifts might be used in service to the Church. There is no better way to embark on this endeavor than by getting to know the women in the Scriptures.
 
Though we are familiar with Adam, Noah, Samson, Peter, and Paul, many of us would fail to recognize Milcah, Keturah, Abigail, Rizpah, Gomer, Joanna, Dorcas, Phoebe, Junia, or even Mary Magdalene. Who are the women of the Bible?  What do they have to tell us about God’s love for God’s people?  What can they reveal to us about the birthpangs of the early church?  What do these women’s stories tell us about how God reveals Godself? 
 
Over the course of ten weeks we will meet some of the extraordinary yet ordinary women of the Bible.  Some of their stories are familiar to us, others are not.  Covering a broad spectrum of female experience, their stories offer us a new appreciation of what biblical women suffered and endured, triumphed and overcame, and contributed to the revelation of God’s love for God’s people throughout time.
 
This course counts toward Catechist Certification (in the category of Sacred Scripture) in the Diocese of Reno.
 
Course Schedule and Location:  Classes will be held from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 100 Bishop Manogue Drive in Reno.

Session	Date	Topic
1	9/24/15	Introduction
2	10/1/15	Old Testament Matriarchs
3	10/7/15	Old Testament Wives and Concubines
4	10/15/21	Old Testament Mothers and Daughters
5	10/22/15	The Women in Jesus’ Family
6	10/29/15	The Women in Jesus’ Ministry – Part 1
7	11/5/15	The Women in Jesus’ Ministry – Part 2
8	11/11/15	Women in the early Church – Part 1
9	11/19/15	Women in the early Church – Part 2
10	12/3/15	Celebrating Contemporary Women Witnesses

 
Textbooks:  There are no required textbooks for this course.  A Bible is recommended. Handouts will be provided for each session.
 
Bibliography: To be provided.
 
Instructor Biography:  Barbara Guerin is a member of St. Rose of Lima parish in Reno, NV.  She holds a Masters Degree in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, CA.  Ms. Guerin is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation.  Her anticipated graduation date is May 2016.